Anyone else packing their hospital bag?

[thedinosaur]

Just that really.

I'm expecting a baby soon and currently packing my hospital bag but not sure what to put in it. Especially when it comes to things for me.

I can't imagine having the energy to do a full face of makeup and hair post birth but I would like to take some toiletries and bits in that would make me feel a bit better without having to do much.

I've been advised lip balm as hospital wards tend to dry your lips out.
I'm also thinking a travel size pack of face wipes - not sure what brand to use.

Also thinking of maybe some tinted moisturiser and mascara etc but I'm not entirely sure of what's actually useful and what I will use

For the baby I've got some muslin blankets - hoping to use them to swaddle too, bepanthen, nappies, water wipes, bottle just in case (planning to BF), 3 outfits/baby grows, hat and warm suit as it will be winter when he/she arrive and a soft blanket. Am I missing anything?

What is everyone else packing in theirs?

I always pack when labour starts. This whole hospital bag thing is weird unless you live on an island miles from the hospital and need to leave at the first twinge. When labour starts I usually crack open my laptop, tidy up my work so I can be gone for a few days and pack a bag. The bag takes 5 mins.

This time I'll need an extra 20mins to make sandwiches though!

As I'd had a previous pre term birth I packed most of my bag at 25 weeks 😎God knows what's in it! I've got one for birth and one for afterwards with baby stuff and clean clothes.

I packed my bag at 38 weeks and this was my list;

Medical chart

Many pairs of massive black knickers
A nightdress
Black pyjama bottoms
Black leggings if I want to leave in something supportive
Dress / my dungarees if I want to leave in something loose
2 fresh bras
Slippers
Socks
Flip flops for shower
Tshirt change for Partner

Heat pack
dark towel

Breast pads
Nipple cream
Pants pads
Face spray
Deodrant
Perfume free body wash
Mini shampoo
Dry shampoo
Blistex
Hairbrush
Water wipes
Cleanser & moisturiser
Hair ties
Phone charger & battery pack
Kindle and charger
large water bottle and straws
Pen and notepaper
Purse
Headphones
ear plugs, eye mask

Squirty water bottle
Sparkling water
Isotonic drinks
Cereal bars

Prunes
Super soft toilet roll
Plastic bag for dirty clothes

2 muslin cloths big
Small muslin cloths
Babygros x3
Vests x3
Hat
Socks
Blanket x2
Nappies
Nipple shields
Soother
Baby towel

For the love of all that is holy, OP, if you take no other toiletries, take a really good lip balm. If you use gas and air, your lips will dry out and they will dry out fast. I went in with perfect lips. Came out with them cracked and bleeding.

A nice shower gel is useful BUT nothing too scenty and definitely nothing involving anything strong - mint, menthol, tea tree, eucalyptus - because you don't need THAT finding it's way into anything sore.

I'd take some lavender oil. It is a godsend and it really is soothing - you want one or two drops in some warm water. You can then pour this over a spare pad too and hold it onto anything that's been battered and bruised.

Once I'd gave birth I was asked by midwife if I fancied a bath and I said yes that would be nice and it's only when I was in the bath I realised I had no toiletries, I'd forgot my sponge, my shampoo and conditioner, my tooth brush and paste, my hairdryer, a hair bobble, and my moisturiser, so hopefully I wont forget these next time 🙈 I'm glad i remembered my dressing gown and slippers tho they made me feel so much comfier. OH and my pillow :) x

Just to add things I was grateful to have:

Chocolate bar (in addition to labour snacks, it's a well done for giving birth chocolate bar to have on the ward)
Under eye concealer
Something easy to read
You can also get cross over baby vests that don't irritate the bellybutton

I'd get really cheap knickers from somewhere then if they get ruined you can chuck them.

I'd also try and keep a bit of cash around and a camera (or phone charged if you use that) but otherwise try not to take too much, you'll only have to cart it all home again.

Speaking from experience I'd also have a second bag with a change of clothes an extra set of pjs and plenty spare underwear. Then if you end up having to stay in longer than expected whoever is your birth partner can bring that in for you without having to find anything.

Hopefully you wont need it!

I'm collecting mine as well but I have more time for the delivery. I just buy whenever I go shopping and keep them all collected one by one.But why would you need ear plugs???

Wow I was in hospital for a month after I gave birth and didn't have that much stuff. There's nowhere to put it, get dh to bring you stuff in as you need it. You'll likely be in less than 24 hours!
I had quite a large room with en suite and a full size wardrobe which was handy but you won't get that normally

@OlivelorEar plugs are essential it's so noisy at night! You could be on a ward where someones baby will be crying at any given time, or more than one, patients are being wheeled in and out, medical treatment is being given, mums are up trying to feed and change nappies, people will be on their phones. It is not peaceful! Take eye mask as well the lights are never fully off and some babies are under uv lamps.

Don't pack too much. There isn't much space and you won't enjoy crouching down to dig through a suitcase if you have stitches.

Essentials:
More maternity pads than you think you'll need. At least 1 pack extra.

Nipple balm. Newborns really chew on your nipples before your milk comes in. First time round mine were in shreds.

Nightie with a button top to make feeding easier.

All in one shower gel/shampoo. Forget about lots of different bottles, too much hassle.

Remember when you go home your stomach will be pretty much the same size as when you went in. Just squishier. Pack clothes that'll fit I didn't

Emergency baby milk. Aptimal do a pack with pre-fixed sterile teats. You may not have bf-ing issues, but if you do many hospitals no longer provide milk and it will save your DH doing a frantic trip to the nearest 24hr supermarket.

Baby-gros (a few extra as you'll have lots of wee and brought up milk to deal with), cotton wool for washing when changing, nappies, hat, blanket, vests.

You won't need snacks when in labour, you'll feel sick. You will need fluids, but nothing too acid like orange juice as that will make you sick too! Your DP will need food. The hopsital will feed you but not him. Hospital cafes aren't open over night.

Plus your normal overnight wash bag. Forget loads of make up. You won't care.

Babies don't wee much at all in the first 24 hrs. If you get one wee you're lucky because you can go home. I've never heard of any puking either. They tend not to Luke up the teeny tiny anound of colostrum they get so 1-2 baby gros and vests is more than enough in my experience.

KarateKitten you are probably right. I was in longer than 24hrs so my memories of arcs of wee all over ds's baby gro the second I undid his nappy were probably from day 2 onwards.

I didn't say puke, I said brought up milk. They do that from the word go. Just tiny amounts of bright yellow goo, but I changed mine rather than leave them stained. Probably a bit precious. Well definitely a bit precious

I’m finishing mine tomorrow so gonna read this post in the morning.. I’m currently 35+1 n think am gonna be getting induced at 37 wk due to Gestational Diabetes, 4th baby n first time having GD x

I'm 30 weeks and 6 days and I've already started packing my bag but then I'm a sucker for being super organised. 😜

I need to start packing mine, I've kept notes for a while (particularly from that postnatal care campaign thread where lots of suggestions were made) but need to actually get on and do it.

But I also realised yesterday that I need to pack a bag for my 10 and 8yos - not for hospital obviously but if I go into labour unexpectedly (the plan is that I'll be induced at 38 or 40w so not as likely) I have a few friends who have volunteered to take the DCs until my parents can get here. So I'm going to sort a little suitcase with some clothes, pyjamas, DD's medicine etc as if my waters do break I know I'll be in too much of a panic state to think of that stuff!

I have GD too hence the induction (although my other two were induced for different reasons anyway). :) Need to include low carb snacks in my bag as apparently hospital food hasn't caught up with the info yet and it can be really difficult to eat low carb from their meals. But also I have a list of nice treats for after the birth when I am allowed to eat normally again :o

Deffo don't wait until labour to pack like a pp suggested. My waters broke as first sign of labour and a paramedic delivered my baby 30 mins later! No time for packing anything, luckily all my bag was packed.

Blanket for baby to be wrapped in after birth. My midwife was quite rude to me with ds1 when I'd forgotten to pack one and they had to lend me one.

Also changes clothes for babies, my ds1 was sick four times, nothing to do with feeding, it's actually quite normal for them to be sick with any mucous stuff from the birth.